|  |
|
| |
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| Location Lat 7° 58' 0" Long 125° 3' 0" Valencia Airfield was located to the west of Valencia and Highway 2 in Leyte Province in central Leyte in the Philippines. Construction Built prewar with a single runway oriented northeast to southwest surfaced with grass. Wartime History During 1942, occupied by the Japanese. It is unclear if Valencia Airfield was ever used by Japanese planes. In early December 1944, the Japanese 35th Army as they withdrew from Ormoc inland to Valencia and used the area as a staging point for supplies. The Americans concluded the Japanese intended to make a defensive stand at Valencia and advanced quickly to envelopment the town and airfield with two infantry regiments. Starting in early November 1944 targeted by American aircraft. American missions against Valencia November 2, 1944–December 17, 1944 On December 17, 1944 in the morning targeted by a barrage by 155mm artillery that hit Valencia and Valencia Airfield hitting an ammunition dump. At 12:45pm, the artillery fire was halted for a strike by P-40 Warhawk fighter-bombers against Valencia that bombed and strafed for fifty minutes. At 1:35pm the artillery barrage resume. At 2:15pm the guns ceased firing as American forces approached the area. The bombardment caused some of the Japanese to withdraw, but a strong well equipped force including paratroopers remained. By 4:40pm the leading elements of U.S. Army 77th Division, 307th Infantry reached the southwest edge of Valencia Airfield within 1,000 yards of Valencia and dug in overnight. That night, the Japanese Army Takahashi Detachment that landed at Palompon was ordered to advance to Valencia to engage the Americans but would be too late to reach the area. On December 18, 1944 at 8:30am 307th Infantry Regiment that had advanced from the southwest from San Jose advanced from the southwest edge of Valencia Airfield without opposition and occupied the airfield and town by 9:05am. When captured, Valencia Airfield was in in fair condition; usable by light aircraft and with minor repairs could be made suitable for other planes. References U.S. Army in World War II Leyte: The Return to the Philippines Chapter XX pages 329, 330, 336 Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
 Map December 1944 Map Fallingrain Map Mapcarta |
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
